I have a small 120V Senco which was about $150 at Home Depot. I think all the small less-expensive 1-2 gallon 120v compressors like mine are going to be similar regardless of brand or where you buy them. That is what I recommend you get, and even that is going to be pretty slow (a few minutes at least taking one tire from 60 to 80, and several minutes filling one from flat.)
12v compressors will take much much longer than even a cheap 120v. I have the harbor freight clone of the of the viair 400 which was about $80. It works for what it is but it is but would probably take 30 minutes to get a tire to 80 psi. Perhaps the brand name Viair is better but your right about the cost, which is why I went 120v.
